Ann Romney opens up about her battle with MS

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

(CBS News) Ann Romney opened up to The Wall Street Journal and USA Today about her struggles with multiple sclerosis and the role the disease has played in the campaign of her husband, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Romney told the The Wall Street Journal she started to feel the effects of MS in the fall of 1998. She said it felt as though "a Pac-Man was attacking. I felt I was being eaten away."

Through treatment and horseback riding - specifically dressage, also known as horse ballet - Romney has been able to stay active and assist her husband on the campaign trail. She told USA Today she found a Stephen Colbert skit making fun of the sport "hilarious," and even she knows how ridiculous it looks at times. "You have to understand, we all laugh at the sport, too."

Related: On horseback, Ann Romney talks about health struggle

Romney said that despite the treatment and horseback riding, she has still had her struggles during the often-grueling political process.

Following her husband's failed attempt to win the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, Romney told USA Today she gave him a homemade video of her saying, "Guess what? I'm never doing this again."

"I gave it to him, and he kind of paused and looked at me," she told the newspaper. "And then he goes, 'That's what you said after every pregnancy.' "

As was the case with the five Romney sons, this 'never again' feeling was short lived.

More recently, Romney had a scare following Super Tuesday on March 6, when according to USA Today, "she collapsed, falling 'flat on my behind,' her ability to speak and move impaired." Romney knew she had pushed her body too far and would need to give her herself time to rest and recover.

Those around the campaign say that when Ann Romney is able to join her husband at campaign events, the presumptive nominee is much more relaxed.

"It's something we weigh all the time. He's just a better candidate when she's around," a senior official told Politico in April.

Romney noted to USA Today that while she may not have monetary struggles, she does have her own battles.

"I do not have financial challenges, but I do have challenges, and all of us have challenges in life. For me, having this kind of serious health challenge has made me more compassionate, more understanding of those who are struggling," Romney told USA Today.

[jimatmadison]

I'm glad she has great health care.

Too bad her husband has promised to work to deny health care coverage to tens of millions of Americans on his first day if he's elected.

I'm sorry she has a medical problem, but she is an embarrassment to her husband's campaign by rubbing everybody's face in the fact that she and her husband are willing to deny regular folks something that they themselves take as an assumed right.

She really should shut up.

[hhandyman]

Mrs Romney is quite lucky lady with all that she has been blessed with and shows great integrity with her battles in life whether its her health challenges or keeping 6 boys in line yes i know she has 5 sons but that's including her companion its 6 to keep in line.
This world is intended to be a place of education for preparations for the next world so the struggles she deals with here will assist her in that and the more challenges she over comes the more she learns what she will need to know when this life is no-longer viable.
Congratulations for the efforts that we the public can see and can guess you have accomplished that only you and your Heavenly Father know of. You well know that to whom much is given even more is expected to be returned to progress beyond the veil.. Taxes should be based on that as well. Less Loop holes for those that can well afford to support the nation that protects the wealth of all from pauper to billionaire. set taxes up the same as Tithe a simple 20 percent of all increase regardless if its for labor or passive investment income since it is all an increase in your life. Same as was done in governance in Christs living on Earth Era in the Church

[33maxwell]

It's like this,.,.

Ann Romney (bless her heart) has MS.
THOUSANDS of people are finding true relief from medical cannabis to treat their MS, they are able to get off strong prescription narcotics as a result in many cases, which is ALWAYS a good thing.

Mitt was in Denver last month when he was asked by a reporter (Colorado has been getting beat up by the Feds over Medical cannabis) what HIS thought were on medical cannabis (totally fair question).

Mitt Romney smirked into the camera and said 'Medical marijuana? Don't you have anything of importance to talk about instead'? Then he ended the interview, climbed into a big SUV and drove off via entourage.

So, Ann Romney has MS.. Don't we have anything important to talk about instead?

[pt100455]

I am very inspired when I see Anyone handling a disease or illness in a positive light, BUT....this should be a PERFECT example to Mittens of the need of healthcare for ALL! Even though he & his family will NEVER have to worry about the sicknesses, deaths, & financial ruin not having adequate or no insurance brings--he should at least be Aware of the millions of people in this country who so badly need the care. I also feel her opening up on this only points more negatively towards her husband & the GOP/TP of their oblivious reality of the average American citizen--sorry Mrs. Mittens, no extra sympathy here.

[maudy_grunch]

Yeah and um....she probably has excellent health insurance...insurance that people like her and her husband are loath to let the average American have. Give me a break! There are hundreds of thousands of people in this country who have MS and/or other debilitating conditions - AND THEY WORK FULL TIME. Horses? Who the hell can afford horse therapy??? Oh, the Romneys.

[RulesofEngagement]

Since I found out this woman sold a doped up horse to unsuspecting buyers I have as much use for her as I horse fly.

[Nocults]

Having a staff of dozens to maintain her 5 homes, cars, boats, and Swiss bank accounts, just isn't enough attention for Ann.

[pwayne1]

I am really feel cynical about this opening up....to me it is a manipulation to get sympathy votes. I have empathy for the fact that she any many suffer from this....we don't need to hear her open up.